Scissor cigar cutter having at least three blades and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A scissor cutter ( 100 ) includes two scissor handles ( 102, 104 ), a frame structure including a main ring ( 106 ) and a secondary ring ( 108 ) that are movably connected to each other, and at least three blades ( 118, 120, 122 ). The main ring ( 106 ) is connected to one ( 102 ) of the two scissor handles and to one end of each of the at least three blades ( 118, 120, 122 ), and the secondary ring ( 108 ) is connected to the other one ( 104 ) of the two scissor handles and to another end of each of the at least three blades ( 118, 120, 122 ). When the two scissor handles ( 102, 104 ) move relative to each other the main ring ( 106 ) and the secondary ring ( 108 ) move in a rotational motion relative to each other and the at least three blades ( 118, 120, 122 ) move relative to each other reducing a central region ( 302, 408 ) defined by respective cutting edges ( 402, 404, 406 ) of the at least three blades ( 118, 120, 122 ) thereby cutting a cigar or other object located in the central region ( 302, 408 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of cigar cutters, and more particularly relates to scissors type cigar cutters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical cigar cutter, that can be used to cut objects, including, for example, cigars, cigarettes, candles, and the like, includes one or two blades that can be moved by a user operating a handle or two handles to cut the object. One such device is a guillotine type cutter with a single blade or a double guillotine type cutter with two blades. While the cigar head is effectively cut, regrettably the cigar also tends to deform while cutting which can damage the cigar wrapper. This is an undesirable consequence of using such cutters. An alternative cigar cutter includes a scissors type of cutter that uses two blades that are moved by a user operating two handles in a scissors cutting motion. The user's manual pressure on the two handles is directly translated to the two blades that move generally in a linear motion sliding against each other to cut the cigar head. This device also can effectively cut a cigar. But, the two blades while cutting the cigar also apply pressure to two opposing sides of the cigar thereby deforming the cigar and possibly damaging the cigar wrapper, which is an undesired result of using such a device.

An irising cigar cutter has been proposed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,668 where a squeeze bar and housing are squeezed together in a single hand to cause three or more blades to close around an opening to cut a cigar. The cigar cutter with squeeze bar mechanism is held entirely in one hand and the squeezing motion is applied between the fingers and the butt of the palm of the hand. Unfortunately, such an arrangement of a cutter locates the opening next to the user's palm thereby limiting the size and length of an object that can be located in the opening to cut the object. For example, a long object that is intended to be cut with a length of the object on either side of the opening will create difficulty for a user in handling and operating such a cutter with the object in the opening. The holding of the cutter in one hand, and the operation of the squeeze bar while holding the object in the opening, may not be possible because of the location of the palm of the hand adjacent to one side of the opening. Additionally, the blades are spring loaded to return to an open position after cutting. The additional component parts can increase the manufacturing defects and field failures for that type of cutter, which detrimentally impacts its commercial viability.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, disclosed are a scissors type cutter with three or more blades and a method therefor. The scissor, or scissors, cutter can cut an object such as a cigar located in a central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least three blades. While the scissor cigar cutter, in one embodiment, includes three blades, scissor cigar cutters having more than three blades are also anticipated by alternative embodiments of the present invention.

A method of using a scissor cigar cutter having at least three blades is also provided.

An advantage of a three or more bladed scissor cigar cutter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is that the cigar can be cut more precisely and with uniform pressure around the circumference of the cigar. This also allows a user to comfortably cut a cigar head using a familiar scissors type cutting motion and without deforming the cigar while cutting the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front planar view of a scissor cutter with three blades and a pair of scissor handles in a closed position, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side planar view of the scissor cutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front planar view of the scissor cutter of FIG. 1 with the scissor handles spread apart and the three blades defining a first size for a central region.

FIG. 4 is a front planar view of the scissor cutter of FIG. 1 with the scissor handles brought closer together than in FIG. 3, and with the three blades defining a second size for central region.

FIG. 5 is a rear planar view of the scissor cutter of FIG. 1 with the scissor handles brought to a closed position, and with the three blades defining a third size for central region.

FIG. 6 is a left side planar view of the scissor cutter shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 a top planar view of the scissor cutter shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 a bottom planar view of the scissor cutter shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the scissor cutter shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the scissor cutter shown in FIG. 5, illustrating various components of the scissor cutter.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a secondary ring coupled to a scissor handle for use with the scissor cutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a main ring coupled to a scissor handle for use with the scissor cutter of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as aspects of certain examples of the present invention in support of the claims and as a basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art how to make and use the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms scissor or scissors, whether used as singular or plural, with respect to a cutter, are intended to mean a type of cutting device with handles that move in a rotational motion relative to each other, in a scissors cutting motion, and that cause associated blades to cut an object.

The present invention, according to one embodiment, overcomes problems with the prior art by providing a scissor, or scissors, type cutter that can be used to cut cigars. According to one embodiment, the scissor cutter has three blades. However, according to alternative embodiments the scissor cutter can include more than three blades.

A user can utilize a scissor cigar cutter to more comfortably and evenly cut a cigar head in preparation for smoking. The use of such a scissor cigar cutter increases the precision of the cut with uniform slice cutting pressure being applied around the circumference of the cigar, which is a much better cutting solution over simple linear movement scissors or cutters. As a result, a cigar is less likely to be deformed by the cutting of the cigar head and which avoids damaging the wrapper of the cigar. An additional mechanical advantage is also provided by the rotational motion of the scissor handles, according to an embodiment of the present invention, which allows comfortable hand pressure to be applied by a user operating the scissor handles for cutting an object by the three or more blades. This is an advantage over the more conventional cutter devices that require users to apply direct manual pressure to the cutting blade(s) typically in a simple linear movement.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an example of a scissor cigar cutter 100 is illustrated. FIG. 1 shows a scissor cigar cutter 100 comprising a first handle 102 and a second handle 104. The first handle is mechanically coupled to a main ring 106 and the second handle 104 is mechanically coupled to a secondary ring 108. The main ring 106 and the secondary ring 108 are part of a frame structure that holds, in this example, three blades 118, 120, 122. The two rings 106, 108, are movably coupled to each other in the frame structure. Further, the three blades 118, 120, 122, are movably coupled to the frame structure. The two rings 106, 108, can move in a rotational motion relative to each other in response to the movement of the two handles 102, 104 relative to each other. The main ring 106 is mechanically coupled to one end of each of the three blades 118, 120, 122, and the secondary ring 108 is mechanically coupled to the other end of the three blades 118, 120, 122, such that when the two scissor handles 102, 104 move relative to each other the main ring 106 and the secondary ring 108 move in a rotational motion, or circular motion, relative to each other and the at least three blades 118, 120, 122, move to cut an object located in a central region defined by cutting edges of the at least three blades, as will be discussed in more detail below.

In this example, respective first ends of each of the three blades 118, 120, 122, are movably attached to the secondary ring by three respective binder screw sleeves 112, 114, 116, that mate to three binder screws 212, 214, and 1016, through holes in the secondary ring 108, and in each of the three blades 118, 120, 122, and in a mask ring 202, as better shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. Note that while screw sleeves and screws are used in this example, other types of attachments can be used to hold the blades in a moving coupling arrangement. For example rivets can be used in place of the screw sleeves and screws to secure one end of the three blades 118, 120, 122, to the secondary ring 108 and the mask ring 202.

Additionally, respective second ends 1018, 1020, 1022, of each of the three blades 118, 120, 122, are movably attached to the main ring 106 by three respective notches 1002, 10004, 1006, in the main ring 106. The three notches 1002, 10004, 1006, loosely hold the respective second ends 1018, 1020, 1022, of the three blades 118, 120, 122, in a moving mechanical coupling arrangement with the main ring 106. The mask ring 202 and the secondary ring 108 also capture the three blades 118, 120, 122, in the frame structure such that when the two scissor handles 102, 104, move 401 relative to each other the at least three blades 118, 120, 122, move relative to each other reducing a central region 302, 408, defined by cutting edges 402, 404, 406, of the at least three blades 118, 120, 122, and thereby for cutting an object located in the central region 302, 408, as better shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A logo plate 110 provides both a coupling structure that mechanically couples the second handle 102 to the secondary ring 108, and a place to exhibit a logo or other identification marking for the scissor cigar cutter 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the logo plate 110, in this example, is soldered to the second handle 104 and to the secondary ring 108 thereby mechanically coupling the second handle 104 to the secondary ring 108.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first handle 102, in this example, is soldered to the main ring 106. The main ring 106 is comprised of an inner notched ring 1202 that is soldered to two outer holding rings 1204, 1206. The three notches 1002, 1004, 1006, in the inner notched ring 1202, as has been discussed above, allow a moving mechanical coupling of the three blades 118, 120, 122, to the main ring 106 and to the frame structure.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, illustrate progressive positions of the two handles 102, 104, and of the three blades 118, 120, 122, from a fully open position shown in FIG. 3 to a fully closed position shown in FIG. 5. By progressively closing together the handles 102, 104, in a scissors cutting motion, in this example, the three blades 118, 120, 122, slidably move relative to each other reducing the central region 302, 408, and thereby for cutting an object such as a cigar located in the central region 302, 408. FIG. 5 shows the central region being reduced to zero in size. That is, the three blades 118, 120, 122, are substantially overlapping each other in a closed position and there is no central region remaining. An object, such as a cigar, that would have been located in the central region 302, 408, while progressively moving the two handles 102, 104, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, would be slice cut by the cutting edges 402, 404, 406, of the three blades 118, 120, 122, rotating in a circular motion around the circumference of the object while at the same time reducing the central region 302, 408, until reaching the fully closed position shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the scissor cigar cutter 100 with the two handles 102, 104, and the three blades 118, 120, 122, in a fully closed position. As illustrated by the present example, as better shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 10, the three blades 118, 120, 122, are sized, shaped, and arranged relative to each other for cutting a cigar head located in the central region 302, 408. A user can comfortably operate the two handles 102, 104, to open and close the scissor cigar cutter such that the three blades 118, 120, 122, can move relative to each other in a sliding motion thereby more precisely slice cutting a cigar, and with uniform pressure around the circumference of the cigar. This allows the user to comfortably slice cut a cigar's head from a cigar using a familiar scissors type cutting motion and while applying even pressure and without applying too much stress to any side around a circumference of the cigar, thereby avoiding deforming the cigar while precisely slice cutting the cigar's head. An additional mechanical advantage is that the scissor cutter 100 also translates and magnifies the hand pressure applied to the scissor handles 102, 104, into cutting force applied to the blades 118, 120, 122. This is due to the mechanical arrangements of the scissor handles 102, 104, an the frame structure, serving as levers. This structure and method of use of a cutter is different, more powerful, and more precise, than the applying of direct manual pressure on blades to cut an object as has been done in the past.

The scissor cutter 100, according to one embodiment, has the frame structure, the at least three blades 118, 120, 122, and the two scissor handles 102, 104, all made of material comprising metal. In another embodiment, the entire scissor cutter 100 is made of stainless steel. This provides for a very long maintenance-free life for the scissor cutter. The scissor cutter 100, according to alternative embodiments, can be made in stainless steel; in a combination of anodized metals; with an aluminum body, that includes the scissor handles 102, 104, and the frame structure, but with stainless steel blades 118, 120, 122; in a combination of precious metals; with a metal body and with ceramic blades; or in any combination thereof. Other alternative combinations of materials for the various components of the scissor cutter 100 can also be used, as should become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present discussion. For example, the stainless steel blades 118, 120, 122, in one embodiment, can be sized, shaped, and arranged adjacent to each other so that while slidably moving relative to each other the blades are also self-sharpening.

In view of the discussion above, an alternative embodiment of the invention can include more than three blades, such as four blades, or even more blades, to cut an object, such as a cigar, located in a central region defined by cutting edges of the four or more blades. Such a scissor cutter would include the similar handles 102, 104, coupled to the frame structure, as has been discussed before. However, instead of the three blades 118, 120, 122, discussed above, there would be at least four blades that are moveably coupled to the frame structure, such that in response to moving the two scissor handles 102,104, moving the at least four blades relative to each other reducing a central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least four blades to cut an object, such as a cigar, located in the central region. These at least four blades, in one embodiment, would each have one end loosely held by the main ring 106, such as by respective at least four notches in the main ring 106. The second end of each of the at least four blades would be held to the secondary ring 108, and to the mask ring 202, by respective at least four rivets, for example, or by any other moving mechanical coupling attachment. The at least four blades, according to the present example, would be sized, shaped, and arranged relative to each other for cutting a cigar in the central region. According to one embodiment, in response to manually moving the two scissor handles 102, 104, it would slidably move the at least four blades relative to each other reducing the central region for cutting an object, such as a cigar, located in the central region. The at least four blades could be arranged adjacent to each other so that while slidably moving relative to each other the at least four blades would also be self-sharpening. The at least four blades, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, could be made of material including metal, or of stainless steel, or of ceramic, or any combination of materials such as has been discussed above with respect to the scissor cutter 100 having three or more blades 118, 120, 122.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A scissor cutter comprising: a frame structure; at least three blades, movably coupled to the frame structure; and two scissor handles, mechanically coupled to the frame structure, such that when the two scissor handles move relative to each other the at least three blades move relative to each other reducing a central region defined by cutting edges of the at least three blades and thereby for cutting an object located in the central region.
 2. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the at least three blades of the scissor cutter are sized, shaped, and arranged relative to each other for cutting a cigar located in the central region.
 3. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the at least three blades of the scissor cutter are arranged adjacent to each other for slidably moving relative to each other to reduce the central region.
 4. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the frame structure comprises a main ring and a secondary ring that can move in a rotational motion relative to each other, and wherein the main ring is mechanically coupled to one of the two scissor handles and to one end of each of the at least three blades, and further wherein the secondary ring is mechanically coupled to the other one of the two scissor handles and to another end of each of the at least three blades, such that when the two scissor handles move relative to each other the main ring and the secondary ring move in a rotational motion relative to each other and the at least three blades move to cut an object located in the central region.
 5. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the frame structure comprises a main ring and a secondary ring movably coupled to each other, and wherein the main ring includes at least three notches and is mechanically coupled to one of the two scissor handles and each of the at least three notches loosely holds one end of each of the at least three blades, respectively, and further wherein the secondary ring is mechanically coupled to the other one of the two scissor handles and to another end of each of the at least three blades, such that when the two scissor handles move relative to each other the main ring and the secondary ring move in a rotational motion relative to each other and the at least three blades move to cut an object located in the central region.
 6. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the frame structure, the at least three blades, and the two scissor handles, are made of material comprising metal.
 7. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the frame structure, the at least three blades, and the two scissor handles, are made of stainless steel.
 8. The scissor cutter of claim 1, wherein the at least three blades comprise at least four blades movably coupled to the frame structure, and wherein the two scissor handles when moved relative to each other causes the at least four blades to move relative to each other reducing a central region defined by cutting edges of the at least four blades and thereby for cutting an object located in the central region.
 9. The scissor cutter of claim 8, wherein the at least four blades are sized, shaped, and arranged adjacent to each other to slidably move relative to each other reducing the central region and thereby for cutting a cigar located in the central region.
 10. A method with a scissor cutter, the method comprising: manually moving two scissor handles relative to each other in a scissors cutting motion; in response to manually moving the two scissor handles, moving at least three blades relative to each other to cut an object located in a central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least three blades.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least three blades are sized, shaped, and arranged relative to each other for slice cutting a cigar located in the central region.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least three blades comprise at least four blades, and wherein in response to manually moving the two scissor handles, moving the at least four blades relative to each other reducing a central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least four blades to cut an object located in the central region.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least four blades are sized, shaped, and arranged relative to each other for slice cutting a cigar in the central region.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least four blades are arranged adjacent to each other, and wherein in response to manually moving the two scissor handles, slidably moving the at least four blades relative to each other reducing the central region for cutting an object located in the central region.
 15. A scissor cigar cutter comprising: two scissor handles; a frame structure comprising a main ring and a secondary ring that are movably coupled to each other; and at least three blades, arranged adjacent to each other and movably coupled to the frame structure, the main ring being mechanically coupled to one of the two scissor handles and to one end of each of the at least three blades, and the secondary ring being mechanically coupled to the other one of the two scissor handles and to another end of each of the at least three blades, such that when the two scissor handles move relative to each other the main ring and the secondary ring move in a rotational motion relative to each other and the at least three blades move relative to each other reducing a central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least three blades thereby for cutting a cigar located in the central region.
 16. The scissor cigar cutter of claim 15, wherein the frame structure, the at least three blades, and the two scissor handles, are made of material comprising metal.
 17. The scissor cigar cutter of claim 15, wherein the frame structure, the at least three blades, and the two scissor handles, are made of stainless steel.
 18. The scissor cigar cutter of claim 15, wherein the main ring includes at least three notches and each of the at least three notches loosely holds the one end of each of the at least three blades, respectively.
 19. The scissor cigar cutter of claim 15, wherein the at least three blades comprise at least four blades arranged adjacent to each other and movably coupled to the frame structure, the main ring being mechanically coupled to one of the two scissor handles and to one end of each of the at least four blades, and the secondary ring being mechanically coupled to the other one of the two scissor handles and to another end of each of the at least four blades, such that when the two scissor handles moved relative to each other the main ring and the secondary ring move in a rotational circular motion relative to each other and the at least four blades move relative to each other reducing a central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least four blades thereby for slice cutting a cigar located in the central region.
 20. The scissor cigar cutter of claim 19, wherein the at least four blades are arranged adjacent to each other such that in response to moving the two scissor handles, the at least four blades slidably move relative to each other to slice cut a cigar located in the central region defined by respective cutting edges of the at least four blades while self-sharpening the at least four blades. 